Alarm device



Jan. 2, 1934. w M, s. K|LGOUR 1,941,694

ALARM DEVICE Filed Oct. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inveniov: WaZZerZZS. 152901: by M1 v- QZWJMJ\\ fliiys.

Jan. 2, 1934. w M, s KILGOUR 1,941,694

ALARM DEVICE Filed Oct. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet I a I I33 H9 45 POSITION C Wzlierj'ISK' am; I

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Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT ()E'ECE Application October 9, 1929.

10 Claims.

My invention relates to alarm devices for fluid distributing systems, as for example, wet or dry fluid, and avoidance of complex mechanical parts,-

the latter to insure certainty of operation and to enable the device to be constructed and maintained at minimum cost, will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention, the scope of which latter will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:--

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, with parts in elevation, of an alarm valve constructed according to the invention; v i

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the valve according to Fig. 1, with the parts in different positions;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with parts omitted;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the valve, on an enlarged scale, on the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram representing the switch in different operative positions.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a casing 1 formed to provide a chamber 3, the casing having openings 5 and 7 respectively forming a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for the chamber 3.

As illustrated, fluid communication between the inlet connection 5 and outlet connection 7 entirety at 9, mounted on an arm 11, the latter pivoted for swinging movement on trunnions 13 and 15 (Fig. 3).

As shown, the valve head 9 comprises a flange portion 17 and a plug portion 19, both of which portions cooperate with a bushing 21 screw thread edly secured in the discharge end of the inlet opening 5. When the valve arm 11 is in its lowest position (as shown by Fig. 1) the lower face 23 (Fig. 2) of the flange portion 9 of the valve head is adapted to seategainst the end face 25 ;of the bushing. Adjacent the end face 25 the bushing is formed with the internal annular surface 27, the annular surface of the plug portion 19 of the valve head being formed to fit this surface with a minimum ciearance, with the result that the valve may move to its dotted line position in 1 before the valve opens, with the result that fluid communication between the inlet and outlet connections of the chamber 3 is not established by water hammer or slight fluctuations of pressure in the system.

Serial No. 398,494

The valve head above described conveniently may be made by molding it of suitable substances such as hard rubber compound commonly employed for valves. As shown, the body of the valve head is molded about a stud 28 having the flange head 29 and screw threaded shank 31, the shank from about midway its length to its end opposite the head 29 being of reduced diameter to provide a shoulder 33. Herein, the free end of the valve arm 11 has a perforation 35 formed to provide a shoulder 37, through which perforation the shank of the stud extends, the shoulder 33 of the shank abutting the shoulder 37, the parts being so proportioned as to provide a space 39 be tween the adjacent faces of the arm and valve head. A nut 41 on the shank 31 holds these parts in assembled position.

As shown (Fig.4) the valve head 9 is provided with a small diameter bore or perforation 43, passage of fluid through which is controlled by a check valve,which herein is in the form of a plate on the upper side of the valve head. The plate 45 has a body portion which extends through the space 39 between the valve head and valve arm, this body portion being perforated to have a loose fit on the shank 31- so that the latter serves as a guide for the plate. The perforation 43 permits a slight flow of fluid through the valve when the pressure of the fluid in the piping connected to the inlet connection 5 rises, as would be the case, for example, if the system were supplied wi-ih water from city mains, while the check valve 45 prevents a back flow of this fluid. In cases where the valve is installed in systems in which the pressure does not vary, the perforation 43, if desired, may of course be omitted. V

As shown, for holding the valve head 9 in proper. relation to the valve seat afforded by the bushing 21, and for holding the plate 45in proper relation with the passage '43 through the valve head, a'pin 47 is provided which, as clearly shown by Fig. 4, extends through aligned perforations in the arm 11, plate 45, and valve 9. For securing durabiliy the .pin 47 is shown as secured in a perforation in the flanged head 29 of the stud about which the valve head is molded.

. As shown, the shank 3'1 beyond the nut 41 is provided with a buffer 49 of cushion material, such as rubber, for cooperation with the stop 51 carried by the upper wall cf the casing.

Herein the valve arm 11 adjacent its trunnion supports is provided with a hollow boss 53 providing a chamber 55. This chamber, at the lower portion thereof, has a diaphragm or shelf 57 for 7 trolling an alarm.

As shown, the switch comprisesa block 59 of insulating material, such as so-called bakelite,

molded about the head 61 of a metal stud, the latter having a screw threaded shank 63 which extends through an insulating bushing 65 received in a central perforation of the shelf 57, a nut 6'7 screw threaded on said shank securely holding the block 59 in assembled relation with the valve arm 11.

Herein, the block 59 is provided with a chamber 69 which has a conical bottom wall '71, the apex of the latter being formed in the upper surface of the stud head 61. The upper end of the chamber 69 is closed by a plate 73 of insulaiing material, such as bakelite, which plate on its under side, as viewed in Fig. 4, has a plug '75 extending downwardly into the chamber into proximity with the conical wall '71, so as to provide between said wall and the adjacent end of the plug a more or less restricted annular passage '77. As shown, a contact pin '79 is screw threaded into the plug '75 and projects below the lower face of said plug into proximity with the apex of the conical wall of the chamber 69. Herein, for securing the plate 73 in assembled relation the block 59, flanged sleeves 81 and 83 are fitted over the lower and upper ends of the block and are soldered or welded together at their overlapping portions 85. The contact pin '79 is provided with a head 87 between which and the upper surface of the plate '79 is a metal plate or washer 89, to which is secured, by soldering or welding, the end of a lead 91, a second lead 93 being secured to a metal plate or washer 95 between the nut 6'7 and the insulating bushing 65.

With the switch as above constructed, tilting of the arm 11 from the position shown by Fig. 1 to that shown by Figs. 2 and 4 will cause a globule of mercury 9'7, contained in the chamber 69, to place the contacts afforded by the pin '79 and the upper portion of the stud head 61 into electrical communication. Conveniently, the parts may be so designed that the line A (Figs. 4 and 5) on the conical wall '71 will be in horizontal position when the plug 19 of the valve head 9 is in its dotted line position shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of the switch is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5, in which Position A" indicates the position assumed by the circuit breaker when the valve is closed as shown by Fig. 1. Under these conditions the globule of mercury 9'7 is out of. contact with the stud head 61 and contact pin '79. Position 13 shows the position of parts when the arm swings upward to move the valve. head just past the line A on its dotted line position in Fig. 1, in which position the conical surface '71 is just past the horizontal. This movement causes the globule of mercury 97 to move as a body from its position shown in Position A to its position shown in Position B, in which latter position the contact pin '79 and stud head 61 are placed in electrical-communication. PositionC represents the conditions when the valve arm 11 is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, under which conditions the stud head and contact pin are maintained in electrical communication by the globuie of mercury.

The restricted passage 77 between the upper and lower portions of the chamber 69 acts to cause the mercury to move from its position in Position A to its position in Position B" suddenly as a globule, so that the circuit will be closed suddenly, and likewise be opened suddenly when the valve arm is moved in the opposite direction. The restricted passage also prevents opening of the switch under the influence 0. vi bration of the parts. The rapid closing of the switch is also effected by reason of the plug 19 of the valve first leaving the seat 2'7 at the lower most portion of the latter, which causes the valve to open suddenly when fluid is discharged in desired volume from the part of the system connected to the outlet '7 of the casing 1.

As illustrated, the upper portion of the arm 11 is provided with bores 99 and 191, respectively receiving and having hearings on the trunnions 13 and 15. The bore 101, as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. connnunicates with the chamber 55 at opposite sides of the shelf or partition 5'7. The leads 91 and 95 pass through the bore 101, and the trunnion support 15, to the exterior of the casing 1.

As shown, the trunnion support 15 is screw threaded into the casing wall, and an axial perforation 193 which, for a short portion of its length adjacent its inner end, has a pinch fit" with the rubber sheathing 195 for a cable containing the leads 91 and 95. lnwardly of this latter portion, the perforation 103 is, for a portion of its length, of enlarged diameter, and filled with shellac insulating compound or other suitable insulating and waterproof material. The extreme outer portion of the bore 103 is of fur ther enlarged diameter, as shown at 167, to provide a shoulder 109 against which rests a plate 111, the latter having a perforation through which the cable extends. Extending into the enlarged diameter portion. 107 of the bore 103 is a packing bushing 113, of rubber or the like, which bushing, at its inner end, abuts the plate 111, and, at said end, has the conical exterior surface 115, the latter cooperating with a gland nut 11.? screw threaded into the outer end of the bore for pressing the portion of the packing adjacent the conical surface tightly into engagement with the cable. The packing 113, in conjunction with the sealing compound in the bore 103, and the pinch fit" of the cable with the inner small diameter portion of this bore, eliectively prevents leakage from the interior of the casing to the exterior thereof through. the passage provided by the cable. It will be observed that these means provide that there are no moving parts extending through the wall of the casing as in alarm valves as heretofore constructed, it being understood that it is almost impossible to insure against leakage about such a moving part, and impossible to provide packing for such part without creating enormous frictional resistance to its movement.

For insuring that the switch is hermetically sealed, the lower end of the chamber 55, as illustrated, is provided with a metal plate 119, the edges of which are welded, soldered, or otherwise secured to the 53, sheet 121 of insulating material being provided to prevent the possibility of the end of the shank 63 short circuiting on the plate. At the end of the boss 53 a similar plate 12 is provided, secured tothe boss in the same manner. As shown, the plate 123 is provided with an orifice 25 through which is poured a waterproof insulating com- 1 pound, such as shellac insulating compound, or filling the chamber 55 and the inner end portion of the bore 16.1, this compound being indicated at 127 in Figs. 3 and l. Conveniently, ti e partition 5'7 may be provided. with perforations 129 As shown, the boss 53 on the arm 11 is provided with a rearward extension 131 which, in conjunction with said boss and the parts contained therein, serves as a counter-weight for the valve head. As illustrated, the extension 131 is formed with a cam track 133 cooperating with a roller 135 for actuating a lever 13? iulcrurned at 138 on the casing 1. Onthe upper end of this lever is a-valve 139, herein provided for serving as a pilot valve to cause actuationof a valve 141, which latter permits escape of fluid from the chamber 3 when the valve 9 is open, the escaping fluid actuating a so called water alarm, which alarm commonly is in the form of aturbins-actuated gong. Conveniently, the spring 142 constantly urges the lever 137 to rotate on its fulcrum in. such direction as will hold the roller 135 against the cam track 133.

As illustrated, the valve 141 comprises a central stem carrying, a opposite ends thereof, piston heads 143 which are reciprocably mounted in a bore 145. This bore, at the lower end thereof, is placed in communication with the scatter the valve 139 by a passage 147, so that when the valve 139 is in its open position shown by Fig. 2, pressure fluid will be admitted from the chamber 3 to the lower end of the bore 145 and will raise the valve 141 against the force of a compression spring 147, which spring constantly urges the valve 141 to its lowest position shown by Fig. 1. The lower end of the bore 145 is of reduced diameter, as shown at 151, to provide a shoulder 153, the latter affording a stop for limiting the downward movement of the valve 141. This lower reduced-diameter portion of the bore is placed in communication with the atmosphere by a bleed pipe 155 communicating with the bore by a passage of smaller effective cross-sectional area than the effective cross-sectional area of the passage 147, with the result that there is available a unit pressure for lifting the valve 141 less than the unit pressure of the fluid in the chamber 3. When the valve 139 is closed to interrupt communication of the passage 147 with the chamber 3, the fluid will bedischarged from thelower end of the bore 145 through the bleed pipe 155 to permit the valve 141 to return to'its lowermost position. i

As shown, the intermediate portion of the bore 145, that is to say, the portion thereof between the piston heads 143, in all positions of the valve 141 is placed in communication with the cham ber 3 by a passage 157. A second passage 159 positioned above the passage 157, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, is placed in communication with the passage 157 when the valve 141 is in its raised position. as shown by Fig. while such communication is interrupted when the valve is in its lower position, as shown by Fig. 1, with the result that the water alarm will be actuated when parts are in the position shown by Fig. 2, and will not be actuated when the parts are in the position shown by Fig. 1.

' Preferably the vertical width of the port through which the passage 159 communicates with the bore 145 is not greater than the vertical width of the upper piston head 143 of the valve 141, so that said upper head 143 will have entered the portion of the bore 145 above this port when communication is established between the passages 157 1.5 the resultthat upward movement of the valve will be cushioned by trapped air in the upper portion of said bore. The degree of cushioning is controlled by a small diameter bore 161' extending through the plug 1.63 closing the upper end of the bore 145, this bore also preventing the formation of a vacuum in the upper end or said bore when the valve 141 is permitted tomove downwardly, the bore 161 also assuring that no Water will be trapped in the upper end of the bore 145 to prevent full movement or" the valve 141.

It will be understood that the valve herein described may be used in various situations in connection with distributing systems for various fluids. As shown, it may be employed in place of the so-called main automatic sprinkler valve heretofore commonly used at the main water entrance for the sprinkler supply system of a building. It also may be used as a so-called supervisory alarm valve for branch supplies to separate sections of the sprinkler system, in which case the water alarm features may be omitted. The valve is particularly adapted for use in connection with branches of a sprinkler system supplying sprinkler heads in different rooms, in which case the valve, which may be made small, may actuate annunciators at a central point, remote from the rooms, for indicating that the sprinkler heads in particular rooms are discharging water.

It will be understood that althoughbut one specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, wide deviations may be made from this embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing hava chamber, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said chamber, a swingingflow-actuated valve in said chamber having a plug portion, seat for said valve cooperating with the plug portion thereof for establishing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet when said valve is moved in one direction past a position between the ends of travel and for interrupting such communication when moved in the opposite direction past said position, a tilt-operated electric switch in said chamber operatively'carried by valve for movement therewith, switch beingarranged for changing alternately from one circuit controlling condition to another as said valve is moved to said position alternately in opposite directions.

2. An alarm valve structure for distributg systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said chamber; a valve in said chamber mounted for swinging movement, said valve having a plug portion, a seat for said valve cooperating with said plug portion thereof for establishing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet when said valve is moved in one direction past a position between the ends of its travel and for interrupting such communication when moved in the opposite direction past said position, a tiltoperated electric switch in chamber operatively carried by said valve for movement therewith, said switch being arranged for changing alternately from one circuit contro condition to another as said valve is moved to position alternately in opposite directions.

said inlet and outlet when said valve is moved in one direction past a position between the ends of its travel and for interrupting such communication when moved in the opposite direction past said position, means forming a chamber operatively carried by said valve for movement therewith, a body of mercury in said chamber, and contact means cooperating with said body for causing the latter alternately to change said switch from one circuit controlling condition to another when said valve is moved to said position.

4. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing hav ing a chamber, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said chamber, a swinging valve in said chamber, valve havin a plug portion, a seat for said valve cooperating with said plug portion thereof for establishing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet when said valve is moved in one direction a position betwee the ends of its travel and for interrupting such communication when moved in the opposite direction past said position, means forming a chamber operatively connected to said valve for movement therewith, the last mentioned chamber having an internal surface which is in a horizontal position when said valve is in said position; a body of mercury said chamber supported by said surface for movement thereon. a globule, and contact means cooperating with said body of mercury for causing said body alternately to establlsh and interrupt an electric circuit when said valve is swung alternately in opposite directions to cause said surface to be inclined alternately in opposite directions from its horizontal position.

5. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, a cooperating valve and valve seat in said chamber for establishing and interrupting fluid communication between said inlet and outlet, said valve and seat being relatively formed for permitting said valve to move in opening direction a predetermined amount before establishing substantial communication between said inlet and outlet, an electric switch in said chamber, said switch having different circuit positions, and operative connections between said valve and switch for causing the latter to be maintained in one of said circuit positions during movement of said valve from its closed position to approximately its position in which said substantial communication is established and thereupon to change to another circuit position.

6. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, a cooperating valve and valve seat in said chamber for establishing and interrupting fluid communication between said inlet and outlet. said valve and seat being relatively formed for permitting said valve to move in opening direction a predetermined amount before establishing substantial communication between said inlet and outlet, a tilt actuated electric switch in said chamber, operative connections between said valve and switch for tilting the latter in response to movement of the for nor, said connections being efifective to maintain said switch in one circuit position during movement of said valve from its closed position to approximately its position in which it establishes said substantial communication and thereupon to change to another circuit position.

'7. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, a cooperating swinging valve and valve seat in said chamber for establishing and interrupting fluid communication between said inlet and outlet, said valve and seat being relatively formed for permitting said valve to move in opening direction a predetermined amount before establishing substantial communication between said inlet and outlet, and a tilt actuated electric switch in said chamber operatively carried by said valve for movement therewith, said switch having different circuit positions, and being maintained in one of said circuit positions during movement of said valve from its closed position to approximately its position in which said substantial communication is established and thereupon changing to another circuit position.

8. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, a cooperating swinging valve and valve seat in said chamber for establishing and interrupting fluid communication between said inlet and outlet, said valve and seat being relatively formed for permitting said valve to move in opening direction a predetermined amount before establishing substantial communication between said inlet and outlet, means forming a chamber carried by said valve, a body of mercury in said last mentioned chamber, said body movable in said. chamber by tilting of said valve, and contact means cooperating with said body of mercury for establishing and interrupting an electric circuit as a valve moves in opposite directions respectively past approximately its position in which said substantial communication is established.

9. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, fluid flow responsive means in said chamber comprising a swinging member, a trunnion for supporting said swinging member, said trunnion carried interiorly of said chamber by a wall of said casing, an electric switch in said chamber actuated by said flow responsive means, said trunnion having an axial perforation leading to the exterior of said casing, and a lead for said switch extending through said perforation of said trunnion to the exterior of said casing.

10. An alarm valve structure for fluid distributing systems having, in combination, a casing having a chamber, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for said chamber, a substantially cylindrical interior valve seat, an arm mounted for swinging movement, a flow-actuated valve carried by said arm comprising a plug cooperating with said valve seat, said plug and seat being so shaped and disposed that said plug first leaves said seat at one side thereof at an intermediate position of its travel whereby the valve is moved in opening direction abruptly from said position, and a tilt operated electr c switch carried by said arm for movement therewith, said switch being operative to change circuit connections when moved to a position which corresponds to said intermediate position of travel of said plug.

WALTER M. S. KILGOUR. 

